joi, 5 ianuarie 2017

Iran has hit back at "unconstructive" Turkish allegations that Tehran's
allies were violating a fragile ceasefire in Syria, accusing rebels of
breaking the truce. "The current ceasefire in Syria has been violated
repeatedly by the anti-government armed opposition groups," foreign
ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said Wednesday. Ghasemi criticised the
"unconstructive remarks" and said they could "further complicate the
current situation" in Syria. Read More

US-backed Forces Capture Strategic IS Town Near Raqqa

As
part of their offensive to retake Raqqa from Islamic State, Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the nearby town of Mahmoudli. VOA's
Mahmoud Bali reports.

VOA News

F-35 pilot: Here's what people don't understand about dogfighting, and how the F-35 excels at it

Since 2001, Lockheed Martin and US military planners have been putting together the F-35, a new...

Business Insider

Iraqi general says 70 percent of east Mosul retaken from Islamic State

By
Stephen Kalin and Isabel Coles ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi forces
have retaken around 70 percent of eastern Mosul from Islamic State
militants and expect to reach the river bisecting the city in the coming
days, Iraq's joint operations commander told Reuters. Lieutenant
General Talib Shaghati, who is also head of the elite counter-terrorism
service (CTS) spearheading the campaign to retake the northern city,
said the cooperation of residents was helping them advance against
Islamic State. In its 12th week, the offensive has gained momentum since
Iraqi forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition renewed their push for the
city a week ago, clearing several more eastern districts despite fierce
resistance.

Reuters

Elite Iraqi forces advance in southeastern Mosul

Members
of Iraq's Rapid Response Division advance in Mosul's southeastern
al-Wihda neighbourhood, as part of the operation to retake the city from
Islamic State fighters.

AFP Videos

Crimeans back Russian takeover: If they try to take it back, ‘I will fight’

SEVASTOPOL,
Crimea — Nearly three years after Russia reclaimed Crimea from Ukraine,
many in this rugged Black Sea peninsula seem pleased to be back in
Russian arms. The airport in the capital of Simferopol, about 60 miles
north of here, was given a face lift, and a passenger terminal will be
added by the end of 2018. Roads have been improved. Western goods are
available in the shops despite sanctions imposed by the West to protest
Crimea's annexation by Moscow. There is popular support for Russian
President Vladimir Putin's plans to build a bridge across the Kerch
Strait to integrate Crimea with mainland Russia. "People feel at home in
Russia. That is the main point. It doesn’t matter what government

USA Today

Mariah Carey Parts Ways With Creative Director Over NYE Debacle

Mariah
Carey has parted ways with longtime creative director, dancer and tour
choreographer Anthony Burrell following her disastrous New Year’s Eve
performance, according to media reports. Carey’s performance during the
ABC telecast drew widespread criticism for its ramshackle nature.
Burrell tweeted support for Carey after the performance: “I haven’t been
able to watch NYE performance.

"The
United States was the first to offer additional safety assurance
measures to the Baltic countries following the deterioration of the
security situation in the region after the annexation of the Crimea,"
Defence Ministry spokeswoman Asta Galdikaite told local media on Tuesday
(4 January), following a report in the New York Times. "US Special
Operations Forces presence in Lithuania is one of the deterrents"
against Russia, and is another sign of the "long-term close cooperation
with the US forces", Galdikaite said. In recent months, tensions between
Baltic state and its Russian neighbour have increased, with Moscow
deploying nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to its Kaliningrad enclave.